title: Occurrence of mycoplasmas in free-ranging birds of prey in Germany.
abstract: Mycoplasmas are well-known avian pathogens of poultry and some passerines. Although reported in birds of prey, their role as pathogens is still unclear. Healthy, free-ranging raptor nestlings sampled during a routine ringing (banding) program, and birds of prey from rehabilitation centers, tested positive for Mycoplasma spp. by culture and a genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Given the lack of clinical signs and disease, we suggest that mycoplasmas in raptors may be commensal rather than pathogenic. Using immunobinding assay and species-specific PCR tests, Mycoplasma buteonis, M. falconis, and M. gypis were identified; M. falconis was only detected in falcons. Additionally, some isolates could not be identified. This is the first report of Mycoplasma spp. isolations from Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus), a Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), and a Barn Owl (Tyto alba).
authors.affiliation: Institute for Poultry Diseases, Free University of Berlin, Koenigsweg 63, 14163 Berlin, Germany. lierz.michael@vetmed.fu-berlin.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lierz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hernadez-Divers
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hafez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D020304:Raptors / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial